Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Zechariah
Zechariah joins a call to wholehearted repentance with visions and prophecies rich in hope, containing more about the coming Messiah than any prophet but Isaiah: the King who comes lowly on a donkey, and the Shepherd who is pierced. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Book of Zechariah records the ministry of the prophet and priest Zechariah, who began prophesying in 520 BC alongside Haggai, encouraging the returned exiles to rebuild the temple. But Zechariah reaches far beyond the rebuilding, through a series of eight night visions and later oracles, to God's larger purposes for Jerusalem, the nations, and the coming Messiah. His name means 'the LORD remembers,' a fitting theme for a book about God's faithfulness to His covenant.
This commentary covers Zechariah verse by verse, with the Hebrew words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. Zechariah is one of the most messianic books in the Old Testament: it foretells the King coming lowly on a donkey (9:9), the thirty pieces of silver (11:12-13), and the One they pierced whom they will mourn (12:10), all fulfilled in Jesus Christ. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
All 14 chapters of Zechariah are complete, from the call to return and the night visions, through the lowly King, the thirty pieces of silver, and the pierced Shepherd, to the one LORD reigning as King over all the earth and a world made holy unto Him.
Author
Zechariah, prophet and priest, a contemporary of Haggai.
Setting
Jerusalem, from 520 BC, among the returned exiles.
Key Themes
Repentance, the night visions, and the coming Messiah.
Messianic Prophecies
The lowly King (9:9) and the pierced One (12:10).
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
Zechariah Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
Zechariah 1:1-21
Return to Me
God calls the returned exiles to wholehearted repentance, warns them by their fathers' failure, and in the first night vision reveals His jealous love and His returning mercy toward Jerusalem.
Read Chapter 1 →Zechariah 2:1-13
I Will Dwell in the Midst of Thee
The man with the measuring line, God's promise to be 'a wall of fire round about, and... the glory in the midst,' 'he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye,' and the joyful call, 'Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee,' with many nations joined to the LORD.
Read Chapter 2 →Zechariah 3:1-10
I Have Caused Thine Iniquity to Pass From Thee
Joshua the high priest accused by Satan in filthy garments, the accuser rebuked, the filthy garments taken away and clean robes given, 'I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee,' and the promise of God's servant the BRANCH who removes 'the iniquity of that land in one day.'
Read Chapter 3 →Zechariah 4:1-14
Not by Might, but by My Spirit
The golden lampstand fed by two olive trees, the great word 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts,' the mountain made a plain with shouts of 'Grace, grace unto it,' and the God who does not despise 'the day of small things.'
Read Chapter 4 →Zechariah 5:1-11
The Flying Roll and the Ephah
Two visions of God dealing with sin: the flying roll, the curse of the law going out against the thief and the false swearer to consume their houses, and the woman named Wickedness sealed in an ephah and carried away to Shinar, sin judged and sin removed from God's land.
Read Chapter 5 →Zechariah 6:1-15
A Priest Upon His Throne
The four chariots that patrol the earth as agents of the Lord of all the earth, and the crowning of Joshua as a sign of the coming BRANCH who will 'build the temple of the LORD' and 'be a priest upon his throne', the King-Priest, Jesus Christ, gathering builders even from far off.
Read Chapter 6 →Zechariah 7:1-14
Did Ye At All Fast Unto Me?
The question about fasting and God's searching reply, 'did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?', His true requirement, 'Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions... oppress not the widow,' and the tragedy of fathers who made 'their hearts as an adamant stone.'
Read Chapter 7 →Zechariah 8:1-23
I Am Returned Unto Zion
A cascade of promises: God jealous with love, 'I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem,' streets of old folk and playing children, 'they shall be my people, and I will be their God,' the call to 'speak ye every man the truth,' and the nations grasping the skirt of a Jew, 'for we have heard that God is with you.'
Read Chapter 8 →Zechariah 9:1-17
Behold, Thy King Cometh Unto Thee
Judgment on the proud nations, God encamping about His house, and the great Palm Sunday prophecy, 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion... behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass,' with 'the blood of thy covenant' and the prisoners of hope.
Read Chapter 9 →Zechariah 10:1-12
I Will Strengthen Them in the LORD
The emptiness of idols that 'comfort in vain,' God's anger at false shepherds and care for His flock, the cornerstone and the nail that come from Judah (pointing to Christ), and His tender gathering, 'I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them.'
Read Chapter 10 →Zechariah 11:1-17
Thirty Pieces of Silver
The rejected Shepherd of 'the flock of the slaughter,' the two staves Beauty and Bands, the betrayal price weighed out, 'thirty pieces of silver... cast unto the potter' (fulfilled in Judas and Christ), and the woe on the worthless shepherd who abandons the flock.
Read Chapter 11 →Zechariah 12:1-14
They Shall Look Upon Me Whom They Have Pierced
The Creator's defense of Jerusalem, a cup of trembling and a burdensome stone, and the great prophecy of the cross, 'I will pour... the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him,' the LORD Himself pierced, fulfilled in Christ crucified.
Read Chapter 12 →Zechariah 13:1-9
A Fountain Opened for Sin
The fountain opened 'for sin and for uncleanness,' the purging of idols and false prophets, the One 'wounded in the house of my friends,' and the smitten Shepherd, 'smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered' (claimed by Jesus), with the refined remnant who say, 'The LORD is my God.'
Read Chapter 13 →Zechariah 14:1-21
One LORD, and His Name One
The book's close: the day of the LORD, His feet on the mount of Olives, living waters flowing from Jerusalem, the great Oneness declaration 'the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one,' and a world made holy, 'HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.'
Read Chapter 14 →